With the seating of its jury and today's change of venue attempt unlikely to succeed we are on the eve of one of the greatest trials in Detroit history.

I have just finished reading the full 91 page indictment which details the government's case and the tangle of characters, contractors, events and charges. Once one gets by the legal jargon, it reads like TV series of crime episodes.

There are five defendants indicted: Kwame Kilpatrick, Bernard Kilpatrick, Bobby Ferguson, Victor Mercado and Derrick Miller. Together they are accused of operating as a conspiracy named as the "Kilpatrick Enterprise" in the indictment. They also face a range of other individual charges.

As this sure-to-be long and loud trial proceeds, let's remember that under our system of justice all defendants are currently innocent of these charges, with the exception of Derrick Miller who has confessed and will serve as state's witness. Put aside feelings and discuss this with the seriousness it requires.

Perhaps most interesting will be the cast of characters who allegedly paid the bribes and made extortion payments.

Also revealing will be those who didn't and suffered.

There are some very high-powered individuals who will be revealed when the rocks get turned over.

Good reading on this can be found in this Crain's Article:
Biz likely to be heard in Kilpatrick trial By Chad Halcom

So... Ready? Set? Go.
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For the purpose of trial's discussion, this thread will form the central thread of the discussion. We will allow multiple threads as various twists and surprises arise, but eventually will merge them here after their interest expires. We will also periodically update the title of this thread to make it appropriate news at the time.